Corrosion inhibition

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of at least one compound of general formula (I), ##STR1## in which R 1 , R 2 and R 3 independently of one another represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl or alkenyl radical; R 4 represents an alkyl or alkenyl radical, and n represents 1 to 5; or of an acid addition salt thereof, as an inhibitor of corrosion in the extraction, processing, storage and transportation of crude oil and natural gas, and to a process for the preparation of this compound.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of inhibiting corrosion during the extraction, processing, storage and transportation of a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of crude oil and natural gas comprising adding to the hydrocarbon as an inhibitor of corrosion of steel at least one compound of the general formula I ##STR11## in which R 1 , R 2  and R 3  independently are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical or an alkenyl radical, R 4  is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl radical and an alkenyl radical, and   n is 1 to 5.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 where the hydrocarbon further comprises a corrosion causing species selected from the group consisting of CO 2 , H 2  S, and salt. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 where in the definition of I: R 1 , R 2  and R 3  independently are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a straight-chain or branched C 1  -C 10  alkyl radical and a C 2  -C 10  alkenyl radical, and   R 4  is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain or branched C 1  -C 30  alkyl radical or C 2  -C 30  alkenyl radical.   
     
     
       4. The method of claim 3 where in the definition of I: R 4  is derived from a saturated or unsaturated, straight-chain or branched C 6  -C 22  fatty acid.   
     
     
       5. A method of inhibiting corrosion during the extraction, processing, storage and transportation of a hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of crude oil and natural gas, and containing a corrosion causing species selected from the group consisting of CO 2 , H 2  S, and salt, comprising adding to the hydrocarbon as an inhibitor of corrosion of steel at least one compound of the general formula I ##STR12## in which R 1 , R 2  and R 3  independently are selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, a straight-chain or branched C 1  -C 10  alkyl radical and a C 2  -C 10  alkenyl radical, R 4  is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain or branched C 1  -C 30  alkyl radical or C 2  -C 20  alkenyl radical, and   n is 1 to 5.   
     
     
       6. The method of claim 5 where in the definition of I: R 4  is derived from a saturated or unsaturated, straight-chain or branched C 6  -C 22  fatty acid.